Fixed stone mill in Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Rua do Degredo.

Category: Civil Architecture > Windmill

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Degredo

Location:

This windmill is located in the Degredo area, in Santa Cruz da Graciosa. Its position offers a perspective of the surrounding landscape, characteristic of Graciosa island. Rua do Degredo, where it is located, integrates this element into the context of local urbanization, while maintaining a visible connection with the more open and rural environment of the parish.

Architecture and Form:

It is a "fixed" type windmill, built of stone, which gives it an emphasis on solidity and durability. The structure is typically conical, widening at the base and tapering towards the top, where the cap is located, which in the past would have been movable to orient the sails to the wind. The construction with local stone is a distinctive feature of the island's traditional architecture.

Historical Testimony:

Windmills, like this one in Degredo, are striking elements in the history and landscape of Graciosa. They represent an era when the grinding of cereals, essential for subsistence, depended on wind power. Their presence recalls the agricultural activities and way of life of past generations on the island, serving as a link to its rural and industrial heritage.

Element in the Landscape:

Due to its shape and materiality, the windmill integrates uniquely into the Degredo landscape. It contrasts with its surroundings, standing out as a visual landmark. Observing this structure allows one to appreciate the integration of human construction with the island's natural elements, the wind and the terrain, and to imagine the rhythm of life dictated by milling needs.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt